Gino's Jungle

With all of the struggles the Celtics had during the 2009-2010 regular season us Celtics fan got accustomed to using a lot of clichés  when talking and writing about the team. We used terms such as "rollercoaster ride", "a win is a win", and "flip the switch", At the end of the regular season the cliché  I found myself using the most was "flip the switch".

No matter who I was talking to, whether it be Travis, my partner here at Gino's Jungle or my co-host on the Celtics Late Night Show, Nick Gelso, I would always be talking to them about whether this team could really "flip the switch" in the playoffs. At times I felt confident that they could, while other times I didn't buy into the notion that a team could magically just turn it on.

It is now three games later and the Celtics find themselves on the verge of eliminating the Miami Heat in four games. In the first game of the series the C's came out a little sluggish and made us all worry that all of this "flip the switch" talk was bogus. Three days later a Kevin Garnett-less Celtics team showed up at the Garden with a sense of fire and focus that we had not seen since the first month of the season.

Right then and there it was clear that this team means business. Games are no longer just meaningless games for these guys. They know deep down that if they lose their season will come to an end and they will be at the golf course instead of on the basketball court. Each individual has stepped up their game to help the team succeed.

Paul Pierce is returning to vintage Paul Pierce form, Ray Allen is knocking down the big three point baskets that we have become accustomed to seeing, Kendrick Perkins is bringing a new sense of urgency to the table with his dominant defense down low, Rajon Rondo is playing like the floor leader he should be, Kevin Garnett is playing with the intensity we have been waiting to see all season long, and the bench is doing what it has to do to protect leads.

With all of these things being said I can finally say that I truly enjoy watching this team now. Before I experienced headaches and stomach aches, and now today I woke up with a burst of energy when I thought about Paul Pierce hitting the dagger that put us up 3-0 in the series.

The number is now 13. With all of the ups and downs this team has faced they are only thirteen games away from raising banner eighteen. With their new level of focus and energy this team has energized not only themselves but also the fans. For the first time since December, Celtics fans truly believe that this team can go all the way.